Brandes was among the estimated 300 people urging support for the Jewish state, as well as Tampa's sister city of Ashdod. Not far from the border with Gaza, the town has repeatedly been the target of Hamas rocket fire.

"In Israel, it's 1938 again," said Pastor Scott Thomas of the Free Life Chapel in Lakeland, "Hamas is one of the new Hitler's raising its head, and he must be decapitated."

During the rally, the sound of Sirens filled the air, giving people in downtown Tampa a small dose of the anxiety that organizers say Israelis live with every day.

"We want to see peace, we are not against the Palestinians, but we are against Hamas," said Colman Reaboi, a local Cantor taking place in today's demonstration.

Less than an hour after the Tampa rally, a much different take on the conflict was unfolding in Washington D.C.

Tampa teenager Tariq Khdeirr, 15, who earlier this month was beaten by Israeli police, was part of a panel of speakers taking part in a briefing on Capitol Hill.